Introduction

This project aims to establish an interactive tool for protection of forest resources in Central Europe, linking the 5th and 6th RTD Framework Programme.

Objective

The PROFOREST Centre aims to develop an integration between forest scientists from CEEC and EU experts in protection of forest resources in Central Europe. Establishing of the Centre results from our 70-year-lasting experience and knowledge on problems of forest protection against insect pests, fungal pathogens, fires, emissions, wildlife, protection of forest soils and waters, biodiversity, gene resources, and nature conservation. The Section of Natural Forests located in Bialowieza, with its worldwide famous Primeval Forest, will serve as a basis for joint research efforts of scientists from West and East of Europe. There are also Sections of Mountain Forests and of Forest Management in Industrial Regions, covering in this way the whole spectrum of problems that the modern forestry in Central Europe may face.

The PROFOREST Centre will facilitate exchanging research methods, and preparing joint research projects at European level, removing technical barriers and increasing co-operation throughout the CEEC. It will stimulate development of forest science in our part of Europe and enable foresters to manage better our forests and preserve them for future generations.

Activities

The activities include the following workpackages:

WP1 Building of research capacity

• Ecological approach to pest management
• The use of databases and GIS in forest protection
• Monitoring of forest fires
• Dissemination of knowledge of molecular ecophysiology
• Effects of Scots pine debarking by large herbivours

• Protection of forest plantations against insects
• The use of databases and GIS in forest protection
• Environmentally acceptable methods of control of soil pests
• Activities promoting genetic diversity and conservation
• Genetic resource conservation by micro-reproduction
• The role of forests in country landscape
• Bats as a bio-indication of forest ecosystems

• Development of strategy for management of the nun moth
• Protection of forests against pest insects and diseases
• Impact of management practices on biodiversity of forests

• Protection of forest plantations against insect pests
• Effect of forest management on biodiversity of insects
• Activities promoting conservation of genetic diversity
• Role of forests in rural development
• Supporting private sector forest services

• Bark beetle
• Mountain pests
• Biodiversity of insects
• Forest genetics
• Forest fires
• GIS in forestry
• Changes in forest p[lanning
• Role of forests in rural development
• Supporting private sector forest services

• Insect outbreaks in manages and unmanaged forests
• Protection of soil and water resources in forest areas
• Root and butt rots

• The use of databases and GIS in forest protection
• Attractants/antiattractants in forest protection

• Forest soil and water research methods
• Promoting genetic diversity conservation of pine
• Assessing forest soil and water conditions

Contacts

Coordinator

• Zbigniew SIEROTA / Forest Research Institute POLAND